Family Fun O-Mok-See

Link to Facebook Event which contains additional information and updates:

https://www.facebook.com/events/439492716789924/?ti=as

We will be having a series of O-Mok-Sees at the Big Sky Equestrian Park this year. Our plan is to have 5 games per event per age group. Ribbons will be given out for First, Second and Third Places. This year, we are going to have people accumulate points through the series. The top rider in each age group will earn a belt buckle. Points will be awarded as follows:

First: 10 points

Second: 8 points

Third: 6 points

Fourth: 4 points

Fifth: 2 points

Participants must ride in 2 of the 3 O-Mok-Sees to be eligible for the year end buckle. We are trying a new format this year. We will have the 0-9 assisted, 0-9 unassisted and the 10-13 year old age groups in the morning. After lunch, we will run the 14-17 year old age group and the 18 and over age group. For families with small children, we hope this will make your day easier and for those without children, you don’t have to sit through all of the lower divisions. We would really like feedback on this change to see if it works for people. Each event will cost $5.00, so if a person rides all 5 events it will cost $25.00 per person.

The sport of O-Mok-See originates with the Blackfoot Indian Tribe where they described a particular style of riding as ”oh-mak-see pass-kan” meaning “riding big dance.” The second syllable of the first word is pronounced like our English word mock. One might even desire to leave the second word (meaning dance) off entirely, and simply make it oh-mak-see — riding big. Gymkhana is a term use in the United Kingdom, east coast of the United States, and other English-speaking nations to describe an equestrian event consisting of timed games for riders on horses. These events often emphasize children’s participation and may be organized by a recognized Pony Club or a 4-H club.

The Big Sky Horse Park offers 4 O-Mok-Sees each year. Each O-Mok-See features 6 games per age group. Check under the show date for the games that will be featured for each show. Ribbons will be given out for First, Second and Third Places in each age group. Age groups are 0-8 assisted, 0-9 independent, 10-13 year olds, 14-17 year olds, and 18 and over.

Riders have the opportunity to participate in a Buckle Challenge. An entry fee of $20 per rider must be paid in the first or second O-Mok-See of the year to be eligible for the end of the year buckle. The top rider in each age group (assisted riders are not eligible) who has signed up will earn a belt buckle. Points toward the buckle will be awarded as follows:

First: 10 points

Second: 8 points

Third: 6 points

Fourth: 4 points

Fifth: 2 points

Participants must ride in 2 of the 3 regular O-Mok-Sees to be eligible for the year end buckle.

This O-Mok-See series does not qualify for State/Division points. Our goal is to get families out riding together. We want to introduce new riders or new horses to the sport in a lightly competitive, educational environment. We try to place riders of similar riding abilities in the same heat. We welcome everyone to participate. You do not have to be a member of the Big Sky Horse Park to participate in all 5 events to qualify for the year end buckle.

Each age group will have a fun event that doesn’t count for points and will be free. The 0-9 year olds will have a stick horse race. The 10-13 year olds will have an egg and spoon race, the 14- 17 year olds will do the rescue race, adults will have a 3 legged sack race.

Age 0-9 Events:

Keyhole

4 Pole Bending

Walk, Trot, Run

Tomahawk Race

Ground Poles-Western Jump

Stick Horse Race

Age 10-13 Events:

Straight Barrels

Pole Bending

Western Jump 12 inches

Flag Race

Idaho Figure 8

Egg and Spoon

Age 14-17 Events:

Barrel Racing

Pole Bending

Western Jump 18 inches

Spear the Ring

Tomahawk Race

Rescue Race

Age 18 + Events:

Barrel Racing

Pole Bending

Spear the Ring

Western Jump 18 inches

Flag Race

3 Legged Sack Race

This O-Mok-See series does not qualify for State/Division points. Our goal is to get families out riding together and introduce new riders to the sport in a lightly competitive, educational environment. We welcome everyone to participate. You do not have to be a member of the Big Sky Horse Park to participate.

The sport of O-Mok-See originates with the Blackfoot Indian Tribe where they described a particular style of riding as ” oh-mak-see pass-kan” meaning “riding big dance.” The second syllable of the first word is pronounced like our English word mock. One might even desire to leave the second word ( meaning dance) off entirely, and simply make it oh-mak-see — riding big. Gymkhana is a term use in the United Kingdom, east coast of the United States, and other English-speaking nations to describe an equestrian event consisting of timed games for riders on horses. These events often emphasize children’s participation and may be organized by a recognized Pony Club or a 4-H club.